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IMO, cartridges should only really be ranked in groups when using various "killing power" formulas, with great difficulty in determining differences in actual killing effect between cartridges very close to each other in velocity/bullet weight/diameter, "knockdown", momentum, kinetic or other formulas. For example, I defy a fellow to tell me the difference in killing power {with proper bullets in each} on, say, deer, between a 6.5x55 and a .280 Remington.

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And energy cannot be totally tossed out, depending on game to be shot. There are circumstances where energy may be a roughly better estimator of killing power, such as when light game is shot. A 500 grain RN shot at 1700 fps striking the ribs of a small deer may leave you with a long day of tracking, whereas the same critter shot in the same place with a fast .25 cal bullet may put you in venison without much looking.

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Again, I claimed the heavy bullet was better for bison and bear. You claim the lighter bullet is better for deer. That's not an argument, it's agreement. But, any claim that energy by itself can be used to predict killing is flawed. The 405 gr 45 caliber bullet at 1700 fps produces the same energy as a 25 caliber 117 gr bullet at 3160 fps. But you say the 25 caliber bullet is a better killer of deer, and I agree. Therefore, energy does not predict killing power.

Take care, Tom

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